As some of you probably have seen on the facebook sites it seem to be new rules or possibly old rules that are enforced tougher for foreign motorbikes and bicycles going into Laos.

Anyone on foreign plated motorbikes or bicycles travelling into Laos now seems to need a permit from the right authorities - and one need to apply at least 30 days in advance. The information given seems to indicate that travelling in a group of 5 or more one needs to be accompanied by a guide and a police car throughout the whole journey in Laos. For individual travellers and small groups up to 4 vehicles it seems its enough that the guide meets you at the border crossings.

Some reports that this affects all border crossings and other reports its only the borders within one certain lao province - namely Xayabuli, and that other border crossings worked as normally.

The guys at Rideasia have a thread about this: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-f...mour-real.html

Well - I guess time only will tell if this are a permanent thing and how it will work out practically. But its important to keep in mind if one are making plans for travelling through Laos. Bear in mind that Thailand also just made their rules for foreign vegicles very much tighter recently and that 30 day in advance permits are mandatory also there and a letter authorised by your embassy/consulate.

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